Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-A Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes of: November 14, 2001 Page -1- ITEM #6. Review of resolution establishing rules and rental fees for use of City athletic facilities. In January of each year, the process of scheduling summer use of athletic fields is reviewed and implemented. This process has been utilized successfully for several years. This year, a person living outside the Lakeville city limits but within the Lakeville School District, challenged the process in April, two months after the process had been completed. The person and his children were members of a soccer team within the Lakeville Soccer Association. The teams his two children were members of were assigned practice and game fields in the same manner all teams are allocated fields through the Lakeville Soccer Association. This person requested additional field times for his children and was denied due to the lack of available fields. The person has gone on to claim he was ?denied access to public facilities?. Since April he has relentlessly developed an e-mail campaign toward department staff, school district board members and school district staff. He has written letters to the Attorney General?s office, threatened lawsuits and complained to a Human Rights Commission. As a result of this claim, staff organized a policy review meeting and invited all associations and groups who utilized Lakeville City and school district outdoor athletic facilities. The person complaining about the unfair policy was invited to participate. The present policy governing facility scheduling was distributed to all interested groups/persons prior to the meeting for comments. The meeting was conducted. Those present were very happy with the present policy. The complainant was present and continued to claim being ?denied access to public facilities?. Staff informed the group the policy with any changes would be placed on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee agenda for consideration of approval and recommendation for final approval by the City Council. Minor changes were made and have been reflected in the policy copy and were discussed with members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, staff and athletic association representatives. The proposed policy was distributed to the athletic association representatives. Patty Dexter, Recreation Supervisor, was present to discuss the policy. She provided a list of the individuals and/or organizations invited to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting. She outlined the process of scheduling City and School District #194 athletic fields. Discussion began among those present concerning field use. The sports of soccer and baseball have been around for many years. LaCrosse is a new sport and fields are needed to accommodate the players. Organizations are provided block field use and they are responsible for scheduling within their designated block time. The present policy is outlined in a resolution which was approved by the City Council February 22, 2000. Proposed changes to the policy included addition of ?Exhibit D ? Youth Athletic Associations? which outlined a policy statement, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes of: November 14, 2001 Page -2- procedures, and responsibility. This exhibit summarized the definition of a City youth athletic association and requirements needed to qualify and be recognized as such. Additional changes included deletion of text within the document referring to various associations and various policy details. Youth athletic association representatives present at the meeting expressed there was no need for ?Exhibit D? within the policy. This may deter other organizations from becoming athletic associations due to the requirements of providing by-laws, verification of non-profit status, annual financial reports, copies of tax filings, proof of general liability insurance, etc. ?Exhibit D? is used in the City of Burnsville. It is believed the policy was developed due to various groups with issues. Staff recognized their concern and stated that proof of general liability insurance was already a requirement included in the existing policy. Additional comments among the athletic association representatives included the following: The Lakeville Soccer Club is now incorporated with the State of ? Minnesota. The existing growth rate is 5-10% annually with 2,829 youth enrolled in the spring and fall seasons. Out of state teams choose to come to Lakeville due to the hospitality, great fields, etc. The Soccer Club has had a good working relationship with the City and completely supports the policy as presented. The Lakeville Baseball Association has earnings of $37,000 annually ? of which $7,000 covers expenses and $30,000 is invested in capital purchases put back into fields/facilities. There are approximately 1,700 youth involved in this sport. The LBA offers scholarships, addresses disabilities, etc. The LBA also supports the policy as presented. 01.37Motion by Boldus, seconded by Volimas to recommend to City Council to consider approval of the resolution establishing rules and rental fees for use of City athletic facilities as proposed with the deletion of ?Exhibit D? and any reference of ?Exhibit D?. Motion passed.